The article “How Nellie Bly went undercover to expose abuse of the mentally ill” describes how Nellie Bly uncovered problems with the treatment of the mentally ill at an asylum in New York. What problems did Bly uncover with the process for admitting people into the asylum and releasing them?

Answer 1

Nellie Bly uncovered several significant issues with the processes for admitting and releasing patients at the asylum. One major problem was the lack of proper evaluation and assessment before admission, which often led to people being committed based on unfounded claims or without sufficient evidence of mental illness. This included cases where individuals were admitted due to minor issues, such as being perceived as difficult or troublesome, rather than actual mental health conditions.

Additionally, Bly highlighted the inadequate and arbitrary systems in place for releasing patients. Once admitted, many individuals found it nearly impossible to be discharged, even if their condition had improved. The criteria for release were often vague, and patients could be held indefinitely without a fair review of their mental health status or treatment progress. This lack of oversight contributed to the overcrowding and neglect that Bly exposed within the asylum, illustrating the broader systemic failures in the treatment of people with mental health issues during that time.